Apparatus and method for protecting boats from fouling

ABSTRACT

The invention is an ecological friendly apparatus and method for preventing the fouling of the submerged part of a boat hull by creating a pocket of still and dark water around the boat hull. The darkness prevents algae, seaweed, and other types of sea life, such as plankton, from growing and developing by depriving them of the light needed for their existence. The absence of algae, light, and current caused by the present invention eliminates the food necessary for barnacles and mussels to survive, so barnacles and mussels are also prevented from fouling the boat hull.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/281,751filed on Nov. 23, 2009, titled “Antifouling Protection for Boats”, byinventor Dan Nicolaus Costas, the contents of which are expresslyincorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the method and apparatus for preventing thefouling by algae and barnacles deposits on the submerged part of thehull while the boat are stationed in a marina, by interposing a blanketbetween the hull and the surrounding water, thus preventing the lightfrom sustaining the algae's life and cutting off the food feeding ofbarnacles and mussels.

BACKGROUND

The fouling of a boat's hull has, and continues to be, a major problemdue to the fact that fouling significantly increases the drag whilesailing and if not checked, changes the whole submerged part of a hull,propellers, keels or rudders beyond their intended functioning. Thetypes of algae and other fouling factors as well as their speed ofdepositing and invasive aggression vary with location and climate, butthey constitute a problem everywhere. Special paints which delay theformation of deposits have been formulated and used, but while notsolving the problem, they were significant polluting agents and havebeen banned for that reason. Ultrasound and other electrical means havebeen tried with no significant success.

Currently, for keeping the hulls in reasonably good shape for sailing,the yacht owners use divers to scrape the algae deposits on their boat'shull on a regular basis while in the marinas throughout the year, andonce every year or so, because the repeated scraping also damages thesurface, they pull the craft out of the water, clean it and repaint it.These maintenance operations constitute an undesired and significantexpense to keep a boat in a good and operational condition. Whilesmaller craft can be regularly launched and pulled out of the water onspecially designed launching ramps and, therefore, kept out of the waterfor the periods that they are not used—thus preventing the algae andbarnacles depositing—the larger crafts are left in the water as they aretoo big to be easily put on a trailer and stored out of the water.

There are floating docks like the “VersaDock” on which the boats can bedriven, thus, being lifted out of the water for the periods that theyare not in use but this solution applies only to smaller craft and iscumbersome, very expensive, and applies only to a power craft.

Other companies or brands like Bottom Liner, Armored Hull, or DockingChamber use a floating pool of water isolated from the surroundingmarine environment by a U shaped inflatable U frame with an isolatingheavier than water bottom in which the boat is pushed. By closing theopening through which the boat entered, the boat is isolated from thesurrounding water, thus preventing the flow of water around the hull.Since barnacles and mussels are filtration feeders, they cannot feed ina stationary pool of water and, therefore, they will not develop on theenclosed hull. However, algae and weeds will still grow and foul thehull. Importantly, in addition to being very cumbersome and veryexpensive, this solution cannot be applied to sail boats due to theirdeep reaching keels, and it is also not practical for larger craft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize the otherlimitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding thepresent specification, the present invention is a method and apparatusfor preventing the growth of foul, algae, barnacles, and weeds on thesubmerged parts of a boat's hull regardless of the size or type ofcraft. The present invention allows sail boats, power boats, or any kindof water craft, to be protected against fouling while stationed in amarina easily, inexpensively, and in an environmentally friendly manner.

The barnacles feed with algae so if the algae are prevented fromdepositing on the hulls, barnacles, mussels, and other fouling creaturesfeeding with algae will be kept away and prevented from attaching to thehull. The algae need carbon dioxide and light for their survival. Thus,depriving algae of either carbon dioxide or light will prevent them fromdepositing on the submerged hulls.

A floating blanket that can be applied from underneath on the hull willdeprive anything sticking to the hull of the needed carbon dioxide andlight, thus, solving the problem. However, adhering intimately to allthe submerged parts of a boat is practically impossible given the oddshapes of propellers, rudders, or keels. For these, pockets have to becreated such that the propellers or keels will not get entangled in thesurrounding blanket. While the pockets do not adhere intimately to thehull or the submerged parts, like propellers or rudders, because theyare opaque, they keep out the light, which, in turn, prevents the growthof algae. In addition, the blanket with pockets prevents the flow ofwater through to the hull, which prevents the barnacles and mussels fromhaving access to their food.

The parts that are consistently smooth without anything protrudingoutwards are the first half from the bow side on sail boats and thefirst ¾ from the bow side on power boats. These areas require nopockets.

One embodiment of the invention is a floating blanket, which due to itsbuoyancy will adhere to anything stationed on water on top of it, bymolding to the objects contour. Weights placed in various points of theblanket will sink it such that a watercraft can slide on top of it, andwhen the weights are pulled out of the water the blanket will floattowards the surface folding itself around the bottom of the craft, thuspreventing the growth of algae, sea weed, and barnacles.

The weights, for convenience, are preferably canceled by inflatablefloaters actuated by a push of a button by a compressor, thus,overcoming the weights and lifting the floating blanket to the hull. Theblanket will have to be secured in a place as a sleep or any othermooring place while the watercraft to be protected is away, and appliedon the boat upon its arrival for the duration of the stay, being removedagain before sailing.

Although this embodiment works for power boats, the sail boat, whichtypically has large protruding keels and rudders, make impractical theuse of a protective pocket with a bottom that can be snagged by thekeel. By closing a bottomless pocket from the sides around an alwayscentered keel, the blanket will adhere to the hulls bottom and surroundthe keel keeping it in darkness preventing the photosynthesis fromhappening, thus preventing the growth of algae. The closing and openingof the two side blankets can be done manually or automatically asdesired.

For the described cases, the floating blanket prevents the growth ofalgae by occupying the surface of the hull and depriving them of thecarbon dioxide and light needed for photosynthesis. Even though not allalgae need light to survive, the vast majority do, and depriving them oflight prevents their growth.

For this embodiment, the entirety of the blanket does not need to befloating, but rather only it's upper edge. This upper edge acts like aframe that surrounds the hull at the surface, or line of separationbetween air and water, and can be pulled intimately close to the hull.The rest of the non floating blanket hangs from this floating frame andis under the water and is held down by weights. The blanket hangs downin a substantially in a vertical position and forms a closed curtainsurrounding the boat. The blanket is hangs deep enough, or even hangsall the way to the bottom, to prevent the light from entering theprotected area.

In another embodiment of the invention, the upper floating edge isalways floating, and is also visible at the water surface for the boatto enter it. The floating edge can be secured on the cleats of existingsleeps or anchored any place the boats have their stationing spots.Since in open water, or even at a dock, the floating frame is fastenedto the dock and anchors, once it is pulled tight against the hull of aboat it will, in fact, anchor the boat itself, provided that the frameis re-enforced by sufficiently dimensioned ropes to withstand the windforce that may try to push the boat away.

An apparatus for protecting a partially submerged object from foulingcomprising: one or more curtains. The curtains are: comprised of anupper edge and a lower edge; opaque; suspended from a surface of a waterextending downward within said water in a substantially verticalposition. The upper edge of the curtains are substantially at saidsurface of said water. The upper edge of the curtains are wrapped arounda partially submerged object at the surface of the water such that acircumference of the partially submerged object is substantiallysurrounded by the curtains wherein said one or more curtains, whenwrapped around said partially submerged object prevent a light frompassing through to a submerged area of said that is wrapped creating asubstantially light free zone beneath said partially submerged object.The light free zone prevents growth of algae within the light free zoneand on a submerged portion or said partially submerged object. Thecurtains restrict flow of the water into and out of the light free zonesuch that growth of filtration feeding organisms is prevented.

The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of a boat hull fromfouling may further comprise a floatation portion, which is attached tothe curtains at the upper edge of the curtains. The floatation portionallows the upper edge to float on the surface of the water. Theapparatus for protecting a submerged part of a boat hull from foulingmay also include a cord, which is attached to the curtains at the upperedge of the curtains. The cord allows the curtains to be drawn aroundthe circumference of the partially submerged object such that the upperedge of the curtains substantially conforms to an outline of thepartially submerged object. The bottom edge of the may be joined toitself to form a pocket enclosing the partially submerged object tosubstantially prevent the light from entering the light free zone. Thecurtains are placed substantially in a U-shaped configuration to allowthe partially submerged object to easily engage with the curtains and besurrounded by the curtains.

Alternatively, the curtains may be attached directly to the partiallysubmerged object. The partially submerged object is preferably the hullof a boat. The curtains are removed from the hull and lifted out of saidwater when using the boat and lowered back onto said hull for protectionwhen said boat is anchored. The curtains may even be used an anchoringdevice by said partially submerged object.

The partially submerged object is preferably a boat hull, but it may beany object in the water, including, but not limited to a buoy, a pierpole or any other stationary or floating marine object. The apparatuspreferably includes one or more weights, which are attached to thecurtains. The curtains are prevented from floating by said one or moreweights.

Another embodiment of the invention is an opaque curtain comprising: anopaque curtain; wherein said opaque curtain is wrapped around asubmerged object to prevent light from reaching an area beneath saidsubmerged object and preventing growth of algae and filter feedingorganisms on said submerged object. Preferably the opaque curtainfurther comprises: one or more running strips and one or more cords. Therunning strips have one or more holes and are in a substantiallyvertical position. The cords engage the holes and allow the opaquecurtain to be cinched around the submerged object. The foul deposited onan outside surface of the opaque curtain is easily removed by cleaning.The foul can even be sold as a food source.

Another object of the invention is an apparatus for protecting asubmerged part of a boat hull from fouling, comprising: one or morefloating blankets; one or more weights; and one or more lifting devices.The floating blankets are held submerged in water by the weights,preferably below a mooring position of a hull of a boat to be protected.The lifting devices overcome the weights to allow the floating blanketto rise within the water and elevate towards a surface of said water andthen mould onto a bottom of said hull and one or more protuberances ofthe boat. The floating blankets prevent fouling of the hull.Alternatively, the weights are, or are replaced by, a movable frame. Thelifting devices are connected to a compressed air source, which may beused to active the lifting force.

In another embodiment there are two of the floating blankets. The twofloating blankets each have a floating portion and a non-floatingportion. The two floating blankets adhere to a port side and a starboardside of said hull and adhere to two sides of said keel of the boat. Thetwo non-floating portions define a pocket of darkness around protrudingparts of said hull. The lowering and raising of the floating blanketsmay be accomplished by a moving frame.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the limitations of theprior art and provide a robust, easy to use, and inexpensive solution tothe problem of preventing fouling on boats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a rear view of one embodiment of theinvention protecting a boat against fouling by a floating.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of theinvention protecting a boat against fouling by a floating.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a boat in a slip.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one type of means to allow the floatingblanket to raise by using compressed air to cancel the weights.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention and shows how a sail boat is protected by a blanket that ismade of two wings.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theantifouling blanket that is held on surface by a floating edge in anopen position.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theantifouling blanket and shows the antifouling blanket in a closed andwrapped position.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theantifouling blanket and shows a boat wrapped in the antifouling blanket.

FIG. 9 is a detailed illustration of one type of a material that may beused to create the antifouling blanket of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a detailed illustration of one type of material engaged withfloatation noodles in order to create a floating edge of one embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of theinvention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments ofthe invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may bepracticed without some or all of these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have notbeen described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofembodiments of the invention.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modification in various obvious aspects, allwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly the screen shot figures, and the detailed descriptionsthereof, are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and notrestrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particularembodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scopeof the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a rear view of one embodiment of theinvention protecting a boat against fouling by a floating. FIG. 1illustrates a rear view of a boat 20 moored in U shaped sleep 10 to beprotected against fouling by floating blanket 30. As seen, the floatingblanket 30 is secured to the existing cleats 31 on the slip's fingersand held under the water by weights 40. While the blanket is being helddown by the weights 40, the boat 20 can freely enter or exit the slip.After the boat has entered, by removing the weights 40, the floatingblanket 30 will lift up to the surface due to its own buoyancy and willadhere to the boat's hull thus preventing the algae depositing on it. Asshown, the weights can be simply pulled out by ropes 60 provided forthis task with the condition that the attached strings 50 are longenough to allow that.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of one embodiment of theinvention protecting a boat against fouling by a floating. FIG. 2 showsa side view of the boat 20 with the blanket 30 held down by the weights40 distributed conveniently along it for a uniform hold down.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a boat in a slip. FIG. 3 shows the slip 10and the uniform distribution of the weights 40.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one type of means to allow the floatingblanket to raise by using compressed air to cancel the weights. FIG. 4shows an alternate way to allow the floating blanket 30 to float up bycanceling the weights 40 due to filling with air of the recipients 70through pipe 80 from compressor 10 and valve 110. When the blanket 30needs to be removed from the hull, valve 110 gets closed and valve 120gets opened to the surrounding atmosphere such that the recipients 70fill with water and weights 40 pull down away from the hull the blanket40. The pieces 90 are there to offer a bigger pulling surface on theblanket 30 for more resilience. Preferably, the recipients 70 can beflexible closed compartments, such as spheres, which get inflated by thecompressor through valve 110 and deflated by the water pressure throughvalve 120. The recipients may be any type or shape of vessel.

There are many ways by which a lighter than water, or floating, blanketcan be conveniently applied or removed from a hull, for example, theremay be a solid frame tied to the blanket, instead of the weights 40begin underneath the blanket 30, which is moved up or down by anymechanical means. This would have the same effect. The above describedmethod and apparatus is just one of the possible embodiments of theinvention and is preferred because of its ease of use, simplicity, andfor the fact that it does not require significant depth space in amarina, which are typically close to shore where the water tends to beshallow.

Because marinas are often shallow, applying a blanket to the undersideof a boat becomes problematic mostly for boats with higher drafts, assailboats. The keels of the sailboats reach much deeper than the draftsof power boats of similar sizes. Snagging of anything on the bottom aswould be the case with the floating blanket becomes a problem. For this,the present invention offers an alternate way of applying the blanket.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theinvention and shows how a sail boat is protected by a blanket that ismade of two wings. FIG. 5 shows the details of a system designed for asail boat 20 were the blanket is made of two wings 31 and 35 that canopen apart downwards swinging around edges 32 and 33 on the left wing 31and edges 36 and 37 on the right wing 35. The opening is assured, forexample, by weights, which are not shown in FIG. 5, that are tied tocorners 34 and 38. Edges 32, 33, 36, and 37 can be tied to the fingersof a dock 10 or can be lines of rope tied between poles or buoysanchored anywhere if there are no docks.

The portion above the areas, defined by the line between points 22 and23 and between 24 and 25 are the floating sides of the blanket and thenon-floating sides are below. The two wings 31 and 35 are connected atthe far end, where the bow end of boat 20 is.

When corners 34 and 38 are pulled down by the weights, the two wingswill open forming a V allowing the boat to enter, bow first. Once theboat has entered, the corners 34 and 38 are pulled up and united, forexample, by ropes, which are not shown. This way, the floating sideswill mould around the contour of the boat, while the non floating, orheavier than water, sides will form a vertical descending tunnel fromthe inside part of the hull towards the bottom of the water. Thisvertical tunnel formed by the non floating parts of the blanket willkeep the keel, rudder and the propeller in a dark, and still,environment and, thus, prevent algae from depositing due to the factthat they cannot survive without the light necessary for theirphotosynthesis.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theantifouling blanket that is held on surface by a floating edge in anopen position. FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the antifoulingfloating blanket. The blanket is held up as a floating curtain by afloating edge (or collar) 200. The rest of the blanket 210, which isweighted to be heavier than water, will hang down vertically beneath thewater surface from the edge 200. The floating edge 200 preferably isthick and buoyant enough to keep the rest of the blanket 210 floating,which is preferably weighted enough to keep it in a substantiallyvertical position. As shown, the invention lays on the water surface ina U shaped form, with the collar visible for boat 20 to enter into anappropriate position.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theantifouling blanket and shows the antifouling blanket in a closed andwrapped position. Once the boat is inside the U area, the open ends ofthe U shaped collar are folded over and secured in an embracing positionas shown in FIG. 7. The submerged part of the blanket 210 will followthe shape of the collar due to the fact that it is weighted, and thegravitational forces will keep it in a vertical position under thecollar 200 forming a vertical tunnel like a skirt or curtain under theboat, with the hull's shape. Because the water underneath of the boat atthe mooring point tends to be shallow, the area within the tunnel willbe completely dark. Importantly, the blanket 210 and its floating edge200 are opaque and completely block light. So long as the submergedportion of the hull is in darkness, algae and seaweed will not attach tothe boat because they will have been deprived of the light needed fortheir survival, as their existence depends on the photosynthesisprocess. If desired, the lower edges of the blanket can be joined underthe water forming a pocket, such that light cannot possibly enter fromunderneath, even if reflected from the sea bed.

The blanket 210 may be made from any material, natural or man made, solong as it is substantially opaque.

The U shape of the collar, while waiting for the arrival of the boat,can be ensured in many ways, depending of the place where it is moored.If it is in a U shaped slip, it can be tied to the existing cleats in aflexible manner with bungee cords, or other such devices, such that,when it is folded around the boat it will adhere intimately to the hullas shown in FIG. 7. The folding can be done by pulling, and cinching,the ropes that preferably run through the collar 200 not shown, aroundand securing them on the boat's cleats. If not in a slip, the floating Ushaped collar 200 can be held by an anchor system, such as a threeanchor system, wherein two anchors flexibly hold the ends 220 and thecenter is tied to a third anchor or to the dock.

Another advantage of the U-Shaped configuration is the fact that a boatcan enter either bow first or stern first as desired.

Another advantage is that by embracing the hull, the anchored blanket210, and more importantly, its floating collar 200, may actually act asan anchor to hold the boat in a static position. Obviously if thisadditional anchoring function is desired, the string running through thecollar 200 as well as the anchoring system have to be dimensionedadequately.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of theantifouling blanket and shows the antifouling blanket physicallyattached to a boat. In this embodiment of the invention, the skirt,rather than being a floating device that is frequently wrapped andunwrapped around the boat, is instead attached to the boat directly.This is useful for when the boat is left unused in the water for longperiods of time. FIG. 8 shows that the upper edge 310 of the protectingskirt, curtain or blanket 300 is preferably held above the water level315 by connection devices 330, such as strings, ropes, bungees, or ties.The connection devices 330 are attached to cleats, railings, or otherconnection anchors 340. The upper edge 310 is wrapped, cinched, and tiedaround the boat such that no light penetrates under, through, or overthe skirt, which is made of opaque material. Due to the fact that atmooring points the water tends to be shallow, the skirt will generate apocket of darkness and stillness under the hull. This will, thus,prevent algae and other organisms from depositing on the boat, which isinside that pocket. This skirt under the water can also be part of alarger top cover of a boat. For example, when covering a boat with acover or tarp, instead of ending the lower side of the cover above thewater, by adding to the lower edges the additional material necessaryfor creating the submerged curtain, this will create the dark pocketunder the hull that will prevent fouling. The skirt in this embodimentwill be kept stationary and attached to the boat by the top cover notshown, instead of the connection devices 330 and connection anchors 340,or the floating collar 200, as shown in FIG. 7.

The curtain or blanket forming the skirt is preferably held in asubstantially vertical position between the water line and bottom of thewater body. For this, the submerged curtain is preferably weighted downwith weights that are distributed on the surface of the curtain suchthat in the event that the lower weights reach the sea floor, and thus,stop pulling downwards the material above them, there are other weightsplaced above and along the curtain which will continue to pull thecurtain downwards. This placement of the weights is particularlyimportant in the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, because thematerial of the curtain or blanket should not be allowed to wander fromthe substantially vertical position. If the curtain does drift, it mayget caught in the boats propellers, rudders, keels, or otherprotuberances. In the event that the invention is used in the presenceof a strong current, such as what may be found in a river, the weightingsystem is even more important.

FIG. 9 is a detailed illustration of one type of a material that may beused to create the antifouling blanket of the present invention. FIG. 9shows a preferred example of curtain, skirt, or blanket design (ormaterial) for the submerged curtain 300. As shown in FIG. 9, the upperedge 310, which has attached vertical running strips 350, which in turn,have holes 360 or other connecting means. Preferably the holes 360 arereinforced. Cord 370, which may be a string, rope, cable, belt, or othertype of cord, acts as a belt for sustaining the curtain 300 in theproper position on the upper edge 310, and for hanging the necessaryweights, which may be sand bags, weights, or any other object that isheavier than water, from the lower reinforced holes 360.

FIG. 10 is a detailed illustration of one type of material engaged withfloatation noodles in order to create a floating edge of one embodimentof the invention. FIG. 10 shows how curtain material can readily beemployed for creating the floating curtain shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.The floating collar is created by inserting or attaching floatationnoodles 380 to the cord 370. In this way, the curtains 300 does not haveto be custom made for each boat, but rather a length of material,depending on the boat size, can be cut from a premade roll of thematerial shown in FIG. 10.

The material shown in FIG. 10 allows the curtain to be connected to theboat directly as already described above and shown in FIG. 8, added toan existing boat top cover, or used within a floating embodiment asdescribed above and shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

The submerged opaque pockets formed by the present invention, inaddition to preventing the growth of algae due to inhibiting thephotosynthesis necessary for their existence greatly restrict the flowof water in the protected area. Barnacles and mussels are filtrationfeeders and if there is no flow of water, they cannot grow or live.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description.While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrativeembodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention iscapable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrativein nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited,one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combinationor conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference ornon-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not beinterpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that thescope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, butby the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appendedhereto.

1. An apparatus for protecting a partially submerged object from foulingcomprising: one or more curtains; wherein said one or more curtains iscomprised of an upper edge and a lower edge; wherein said one or morecurtains are opaque; wherein said one or more curtains are suspendedfrom a surface of a water extending downward within said water in asubstantially vertical position; wherein said upper edge of said one ormore curtains is substantially at said surface of said water; whereinsaid upper edge of said one or more curtains are wrapped around apartially submerged object at said surface of said water such that acircumference of said partially submerged object is substantiallysurrounded by said one or more curtains; and wherein said one or morecurtains, when wrapped around said partially submerged object prevent alight from passing through to a submerged area of said object that iswrapped creating a substantially light free zone beneath said partiallysubmerged object.
 2. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of apartially submerged object from fouling of claim 1, wherein said lightfree zone prevents growth of an algae within said light free zone and ona submerged portion of said partially submerged object.
 3. The apparatusfor protecting a submerged part of a partially submerged object fromfouling of claim 2, wherein said one or more curtains restrict a flow ofsaid water into and out of said light free zone such that growth offiltration feeding organisms is prevented.
 4. The apparatus forprotecting a submerged part of a boat hull from fouling of claim 3,further comprising: a floatation portion; wherein said floatationportion is attached to said one or more curtains at said upper edge ofsaid one or more curtains; and wherein said floatation portion allowssaid upper edge of said one or more curtains to float on said surface ofsaid water.
 5. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of a boathull from fouling of claim 3, further comprising: a cord; wherein saidcord is attached to said one or more curtains at said upper edge of saidone or more curtains; and wherein said cord allows said one or morecurtains to be drawn around said circumference of said partiallysubmerged object such that said upper edge of said one or more curtainssubstantially conforms to an outline of said partially submerged object.6. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of a partiallysubmerged object from fouling of claim 3, wherein said bottom edge ofsaid one or more curtains is joined to itself to form a pocket enclosingsaid partially submerged object to substantially prevent said light fromentering said light free zone.
 7. The apparatus for protecting asubmerged part of a partially submerged object from fouling of claim 3,wherein said one or more curtains are placed substantially in a U-shapedconfiguration to allow said partially submerged object to engage withsaid one or more curtains and be surrounded by said one or morecurtains.
 8. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of apartially submerged object from fouling of claim 3, wherein said one ormore curtains are attached directly to said partially submerged object.9. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of a partiallysubmerged object from fouling of claim 8, wherein said partiallysubmerged object is a hull of a boat; wherein said one or more curtainsare removed from said hull and lifted out of said water when using saidboat and lowered back onto said hull for protection when said boat isanchored.
 10. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of apartially submerged object from fouling of claim 3, wherein said one ormore curtains are used as an anchoring device by said partiallysubmerged object.
 11. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of apartially submerged object from fouling of claim 3, wherein saidpartially submerged object is selected from the group consisting of aboat hull, a buoy, and a stationary marine object.
 12. The apparatus forprotecting a submerged part of a partially submerged object from foulingof claim 3, further comprising: one or more weights; wherein said one ormore weights are attached to said one or more curtains; wherein said oneor more curtains are prevented from floating by said one or moreweights.
 13. An opaque curtain comprising: an opaque curtain; whereinsaid opaque curtain is wrapped around a submerged object to preventlight from reaching an area beneath said submerged object and preventinggrowth of algae and filter feeding organisms on said submerged object.14. The opaque curtain of claim 13, further comprising: one or morerunning strips; one or more cords; wherein said one or more or morerunning strips have one or more holes; wherein said one or more runningstrips are attached to said opaque curtain in a substantially verticalposition; wherein said one or more cords engage said one or more holesand allow said opaque curtain to be cinched around said submergedobject.
 15. The opaque curtain of claim 14, wherein a foul deposited onan outside surface of said opaque curtain is removed from said opaquecurtain when said opaque curtain is cleaned.
 16. An apparatus forprotecting a submerged part of a boat hull from fouling, comprising: oneor more floating blankets; one or more weights; one or more liftingdevices; wherein the said one or more floating blankets are heldsubmerged in a water by said one or more weights below a mooringposition of a hull of a boat to be protected; wherein said one or morelifting devices overcome said one or more weights to allow said floatingblanket to rise within a water and elevate towards a surface of saidwater and mould onto a bottom of said hull and one or more protuberancesof said boat; wherein said one or more floating blankets prevent foulingof said hull.
 17. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of aboat hull from fouling of claim 16, wherein said weights are a movableframe.
 18. The apparatus for protecting a submerged part of a boat hullfrom fouling of claim 16, wherein said one or more lifting devices areconnected to a compressed air source.
 19. The apparatus for protecting asubmerged part of a boat hull from fouling of claim 16, wherein thereare two of said one or more floating blankets; wherein said two floatingblankets each have a floating portion and a non-floating portion;wherein said two floating blankets adhere to a port side and a starboardside of said hull and adhere to two sides of said keel of said boat; andwherein said two non-floating portions define a pocket of darknessaround one or more protruding parts of said hull.
 20. The apparatus forprotecting a submerged part of a boat hull from fouling of claim 16,wherein lowering and raising of said one or more floating blankets isaccomplished by a moving frame.